Japan Electrode Makers Ship 2.8% More for Electric Furnace in 1H 2011

Japanese shipment of electrode for electric furnace increased by 2.8% to 24,352 tonnes in January-June from same period of 2010, according to Japan Carbon Association. The demand increased despite of the major earthquake when domestic electric furnace steel production increased by 5.9% during the period.

The electrode consumption was flat at 2.55 kilogram per tonne in January-June compared with 2.57 kg in same period of 2010 while domestic special steel output decreased by 4.9%. The relative higher consumption was apparently partly due to 12.5% higher import. The electrode export shipment increased by 5.6% to 54,054 tonnes, which represented record level of 69% of the total shipment.

Japanese production of electrode for electric furnace increased by 8% to 81,061 tonnes in January-June from same period of 2010. The association expects the production in the second half year would be same level as the first half.